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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can Vet J / Hyperplasia of the thyroid gland and concurrent musculoskele...
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne1994; 35(1); 31-38;

Hyperplasia of the thyroid gland and concurrent musculoskeletal deformities in western Canadian foals: reexamination of a previously described syndrome.

Abstract: A syndrome of neonatal foals characterized by hyperplasia of the thyroid gland and concurrent musculoskeletal deformities (TH-MSD) has been described in western Canada and may be increasing in incidence. In an attempt to improve recognition and understanding of this syndrome, 2946 records of equine abortuses, stillborns, and dead neonatal foals were examined to determine the laboratory involved, the year and month of submission, the breed and sex of the fetus or foal, the type of perinatal loss, the length of gestation, and whether or not the submission had evidence of a lesion of the thyroid gland, the musculoskeletal system, or other abnormal clinical or postmortem findings. One hundred and fifty-four (5.2%) records indicated the presence of an abnormal thyroid gland. Of these, 79 (2.7%) had additional lesions consistent with the TH-MSD syndrome described in the 1980s, while 75 (2.5%) were without these additional lesions. Comparisons among these two groups and a third group of fetuses and foals without lesions of the thyroids glands are described. The results confirm that the TH-MSD syndrome is a specific and unique disease with no breed or sex predilection. It is argued that there may be an "exposure-related" cause, and based on a review of similar disease syndromes of the horse, it is suggested that an examination of the feed is indicated in outbreaks of the TH-MSD syndrome.
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Publication Date: 1994-01-01 PubMed ID: 8044756PubMed Central: PMC1686238
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper is about a syndrome in newborn foals characterized by abnormal growth of the thyroid gland and concurrent musculoskeletal deformities, which appears to be becoming more common in Western Canada. The aim of the study was to increase understanding of this syndrome by examining relevant records from a number of databases.

Methodology and Data Review

  • The researchers examined records from aborted, stillborn, and dead foals to gain insight into this syndrome. Data points considered include the lab involved, the submission time, breed and sex of the foal, the nature of perinatal loss, and gestation length.
  • They also checked to see if the thyroid gland, musculoskeletal system or any other areas showed signs of abnormality.

Findings

  • Out of 2946 records, 154 displayed indications of an abnormal thyroid gland, which is approximately 5.2% of the total.
  • Of this 154, approximately 2.7% (79) were also consistent with the thyroid and musculoskeletal syndrome. The remaining 2.5% (75) did not show these additional symptoms.

Comparisons and Sub-Groups

  • The study further analyzes three sub-groups: one with the specific syndrome, one with abnormal thyroid gland but no additional syndrome, and one without thyroid problems.
  • Comparisons were drawn among these groups to help deepen understanding of the syndrome.

Conclusion

  • The TH-MSD syndrome is confirmed to be a specific and unique disease without any breed or sex predilection according to the research.
  • It’s suspected there could be an exposure-related cause. Based on reviews of similar diseases in horses, the authors suggest examining the animals’ feed during outbreaks of the syndrome as a potential source.

Cite This Article

APA
Allen AL, Doige CE, Fretz PB, Townsend HG. (1994). Hyperplasia of the thyroid gland and concurrent musculoskeletal deformities in western Canadian foals: reexamination of a previously described syndrome. Can Vet J, 35(1), 31-38.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 35
Issue: 1
Pages: 31-38

Researcher Affiliations

Allen, A L
  • Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.
Doige, C E
    Fretz, P B
      Townsend, H G

        MeSH Terms

        • Abortion, Veterinary / epidemiology
        • Abortion, Veterinary / pathology
        • Animals
        • Animals, Newborn / abnormalities
        • Canada / epidemiology
        • Congenital Abnormalities / epidemiology
        • Congenital Abnormalities / veterinary
        • Female
        • Fetal Death / epidemiology
        • Fetal Death / pathology
        • Fetal Death / veterinary
        • Fetal Diseases / epidemiology
        • Fetal Diseases / veterinary
        • Fetus / abnormalities
        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
        • Horses / abnormalities
        • Hyperplasia / veterinary
        • Incidence
        • Male
        • Musculoskeletal Abnormalities
        • Musculoskeletal System / embryology
        • Pregnancy
        • Prevalence
        • Syndrome
        • Thyroid Gland / abnormalities
        • Thyroid Gland / embryology
        • Thyroid Gland / pathology

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 7 times.
        1. Ibrahim RS, El-Mezayen NS, Khairy A, Zaatout HH, Hammoda HM, Metwally AM. Biologically-Guided Isolation of Natural Lead Antithyroid Drug from Medicago sativa L. Sprouts and Its Toxic Profile in Comparison with Propylthiouracil.. J Food Drug Anal 2020 Sep 15;28(3):407-448.
          doi: 10.38212/2224-6614.1242pubmed: 35696097google scholar: lookup
        2. Rogers CW, Bolwell CF, Gee EK. Proactive Management of the Equine Athlete.. Animals (Basel) 2012 Dec 19;2(4):640-55.
          doi: 10.3390/ani2040640pubmed: 26487168google scholar: lookup
        3. Gawrylash SK. Thyroid hyperplasia and musculoskeletal deformity in a standardbred filly in Ontario.. Can Vet J 2004 May;45(5):424-6.
          pubmed: 15206593
        4. Allen A. Congenital hypothyroidism in foals.. Can Vet J 2001 Jun;42(6):418.
          pubmed: 11424573
        5. Riley CB, Scott WM, Caron JP, Fretz PB, Bailey JV, Barber SM. Osteochondritis dessicans and subchondral cystic lesions in draft horses: a retrospective study.. Can Vet J 1998 Oct;39(10):627-33.
          pubmed: 9789673
        6. Allen AL, Townsend HG, Doige CE, Fretz PB. A case-control study of the congenital hypothyroidism and dysmaturity syndrome of foals.. Can Vet J 1996 Jun;37(6):349-51; 354-8.
          pubmed: 8689594
        7. Allen AL. Hyperplasia of the thyroid gland and musculoskeletal deformities in two equine abortuses.. Can Vet J 1995 Apr;36(4):234-6.
          pubmed: 7600514
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